Standard · Application and film thickness
SSPC-PA 2
Measuring dry film thickness and accepting it by spots and areas.
SSPC-PA 2 sets how many DFT readings to take and how to accept them. It works with gauges used as ASTM D7091 describes.
Spots and areas
Three or more readings in a 4 cm circle make a spot. Five spots in about 10 m² (100 ft²) make an area. An unusually high or low reading that cannot be repeated can be discarded within a spot.
How many areas
- Up to about 30 m² (300 ft²): every 10 m² area.
- 30–100 m² (300–1,000 ft²): three random areas.
- Above that: three areas in the first 100 m², plus one for each further 100 m² or part of it.
Acceptance
PA 2 has five restriction levels. At Level 3, the default, each spot is at least 80 % of the specified minimum and no more than 120 % of the maximum. Each area average falls within the specified range.
Use it: DFT acceptance calculator · SSPC-PA 2 vs ISO 19840
35 practice items in the members area mention SSPC-PA 2 (CIP 1: 25 · CIP 2: 8 · FROSIO written: 2).
Related
Try it in an exam-style question. The free readiness check shows the question style, explains every answer and gives you a dated study plan.
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Also published openly: DeFelsko: SSPC-PA 2 restriction levels · KTA-Tator: SSPC-PA 2 on structural steel.
This page describes the subject of SSPC-PA 2 in our own words; it does not reproduce the standard. For the full text, buy the current edition from AMPP. Checked on 2026-10-04; errors go in the corrections log. CoatMentor is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with ISO, AMPP, SSPC, NACE International, ASTM or FROSIO.